Telegraphic tape transmitter



Dec. 15, 1942. w. G. RICE TELEGHAPHIC TAPE TRANSMITTER Filed Jan. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R OE M m E v6 W0 BY G v r 1 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED' STATES ATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to telegraphic tape transmitters and more particularly to automatic tape transmitters for use in connection with the start-stop type of telegraph printers, although such may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provisions of an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, compact, and dependable automatic tape transmitter requiring minimum energy drain so that their multiple connection to telegraphic or similar electrical systems will not impair signal transmission or reception.

Telegraph printers employing the start-stop principle of operation are now widely .used with limited exceptions; however, manual keyboard transmission is still the common practice. It is well known that stored up work in the form of perforated tape displaced through a transmitter advances greatly wire and labor economy and speed of operation. Some of the larger telegraph offices are now equipped with an independent tape transmitting unit with necessary floor space comprising a table upon which a motor, distributor and speed regulator in addition to the transmitter is mounted with extensive plugging in arrangements. The cost of this equipment is relatively high so that one tape transmitter is designed to operate on many wires. This method of plugging in by turns and waiting for assignments in the use of one unit entails delays, attendants time in making switches, and other disadvantages not conducive to volume or efiicient operation.

With the teachings of the present invention, every keyboard distributor in any office having a tape perforator and/or receiving tape by reperforators from distant oiiices for relay, is provided with a tape transmitter fixed thereto by fastening to the side of the keyboard and having plug cable connection to the keyboard for instantaneous operative connection therewith; Simplicity and inexpensive construction together with dependability of operation, is effected with improved contacts that frictionally glide over the perforated tape without any loss of pulse.

This coupled with asimplified feed pawl serving as a direct link between a very light armature and feed roll, insures instantaneous movement of the tape with the expenditure of negigible power. This is accomplished by the use of a solenoid and relay of very low wattage requirement and yet procures the desired power of response with a current value that is a mere fraction of that required by transmitters of known construction for transmission of signals without distortion for multiple redistribution. These features overcome the complicated lever actions, high wattage re-- quirements, and the time element involved with the comparatively heavy solenoids used in transmitters of known construction.

One object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter that will feed tape instantaneously by connecting the stop pulse at the cus-- tomary current value which at present is approximately milliamperes from the main line direct through the feed magnet or through a relay operating the feed magnet.

Another object is to provide a simple, light, compact and sturdy tape transmitter of inexpensive construction possessed of negligible maintenance requirements to serve as a substitute for manual message transmission with any type of keyboard distributor.

An additional object is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic tape transmitterof inexpensive construction and dependable operation in conjunction with a keyboard telegraph distributor for efiecting automatic transmission and redistribution.

A further object is to provide an improved device for automatic message transmission responsive to the traverse of perforated paper tape to effect message transmission and/or redistribution responsive to a feeding solenoid of low energy drain,

A still further object is to provide improved message tape contact feelers that eflect more dependable signal transmission responsive to a code perforated tape or other medium of message transmission.

Still a further object is to provide an improved electromagnetic tape feeding mechanism possessed of an unusually high power factor resulting .in a low energy drain.

An additional object is to provide an improved compact, highly efiicient and dependable telegraphic tape transmitter of inexpensive construction.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along line IIII of Figure l. I

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along .line IIIIII of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IVIV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line VV of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line VI-VI of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line VIIVII of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a contact terminal plate with tape feelers mounted thereon.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pawl feed plate shown in position in Figure 2. p 7

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of a Mux circuit embodying the transmitter solenoids,

relays, distributor contacts, transmitter mechanism, and auto stop lever comprising conventional parts of a telegraph system, except for the transmitter structure which embodies features of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing.

Figure 12 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line XII-XII of Figure 11.

Figure .13 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the top portion of the transmitter shown in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a bottom view of the top frame plate assembly shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along line XV--XV of Figure 11.

Figure 16 is a sectional perspective view of the top frame adjustable code feeler contacts embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 1'7 is an enlarged plan view of the code feeler contacts and supporting plate shown in assembled position in Figure 16.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a suitable transmitter tape sustaining plate III that has a depressed trough II sized to receive a tape I2 therein for guided traverse along a predetermined path across the plate ID. The depressed trough I I extends along the top transmitter plate I and is substantially of rectangular configuration to define upstanding spaced walls serving as a gate to guide the code perforated tape I2 thereover. The tape I2 has feed holes I3 along the longitudinal length thereof and message impulse code perforations I4 that are provided therein in predetermined rows determined by the letter code to correspond with the keyboard arrangement of a telegraphic transmitter. Another plate I confronts the tape sustaining plate In and is connected thereto by means of corner bolts I6 which are joined thereto by spaced fastener nuts I! threaded thereto on both sides of the plates IIlI5 to define a rigid frame with the lower plate I5 serving as a base therefor.

The tape feeding mechanism comprises, in this instance, a shaft I8 which is disposed transversely of the tape guiding groove I I for journalled rotation in bearing brackets I9 supported by the underside of the frame plate I0. As shown, a ratchet wheel 20 is fixed near one extremity of the shaft ID for cooperation with a pawl 2I. The pawl 2I comprises, in this instance, a threaded stud projecting through a correspondingly threaded aperture22 in the extremity of an inverted T-shaped plate 23 to control the intermittent rotation of the shaft I8 in conjunction with a feed wheel 24. The feed wheel 24 has a plurality of radially projecting studs 25 provided on the periphery thereof for meshing engagement with the linear line of feed perforations I3 provided in the tape I2 for positive feeding along a predetermined linear path.

In order to maintain the tape II in registry with the studs or spokes 25 provided on the feed wheel 24, a fiat substantially rectangular tape retaining lid 26 is pivoted to a bracket plate 21 attached to the transmitter frame plate I0 to effect pivotal connection therebetween through the medium of hinges 28. In order to maintain the lid 26 in operative connection with the transmitter frame plate I0, a roller latch mechanism 29 cooperates with a spring clip 30 anchored to the frame plate III at its base 3I, by fasteners 32. This affords the retention of the tape retaining plate 26 in position and provides for. the instantaneous connection and disconnection of the cooperating parts. A protective plate member 33 having a finger manipulating extension 34 is fastened to an upstanding bracket 35 anchored as at 36' to the tape retaining lid 26. This enables the lowering and lifting of the tape retaining plate 26 into and out of engagement with the spring latch 2930 to manipulate and control the position thereof.

Now, then, the lid 26 has a rectangular depending projection 31 which substantially conforms in shape and configuration with the tape receiving groove guide II provided in the tape guide plate I0. The groove guide II is somewhat larger so as to telescopically receive the lid projection 31 with the tape I2 therebetween so as to hold the latter in a taut position when the retaining lid latch 29-30 engages the transmitter frame I2 I (Figure 4) The complemental association of the lid 26 with its projection 31 in the guide I4 of the plate Ill'with the tape I2 therebetween is effected without appreciable friction thereon so that the tape II is free for linear traverse responsive to the intermittent rotation of the feed wheel 24 that has its studs 25 in meshing engagement with the tape feed perforations I3.

In order to accommodate the studs or spokes 25 that project through the linear line of feed I"? holes or perforations I3 in the tape I2, the lid 26 is provided with a notch 38 that extends inwardly from one edge of the region within the depending projection 31 so that the studs 25 can project through the feed holes I3 and freely extend into the lid 26 without obstruction thereto to insure-proper meshing engagement with the feed perforations of the tape I I. To transmit the messages quoted by predetermined perforations I4 in the tape I2, a plurality of wire contact feelers 39, in this instance five, are soldered or otherwise secured along the open end portion 40 thereof to an inclined metallic plate M which is provided with spaced and horizontally disposed supporting and attaching plates 42-43 to sustain the inclined member 4| in position with the wire feelers 39 projecting downwardly therefrom along the surface of the plate 4|.

Suitable fasteners such as threaded studs 44 project through the supporting plates 42-43 to effect their detachable connection to the tape retaining shoe or lid 26. A threaded stud 45 is anchored to the inclined plate M for enabling the connection of a wire lead thereto. It will be observed that the inclined top. portion 4| supporting wire contact feelers 39 is disposed beneath the finger manipulating and projective plate member 34 described supra so as to conceal such from accidental impact or finger grasp.

It is to be noted that each of the five wire feelers 39 are bunched to include a plurality of closely associated individual wires of substantially the same Iengthin this instance numbering live or six, so that the downwardly extending extremities 46 thereof will establishresilient contact with the message tape 12 when the shoe orlid 2 6- is in itsoperative position effecting interengage ment of the complemental latchmembers 29'-'-30'.- The wire feelers 39are spaced alongthe inclined plate 41 to correspondwith the spacing of the end perforations l4 so that each will be disposed inalignment therewith to project therethrough as the message tape l2 is displaced along the guide groove M.

It is to be noted that a plurality of terminal pins 41, in this instance five, are transversely anchored across the guide groove 1 I for communication therewith to correspond with the spacing of the perforations [4 in the-tape l2, and these are axially aligned with each of the wire feelers 39 so as to confront each other in resilient fric--- tional contact when the message tape l2has been removed from the groove H or perforations l4 are aligned with-the code pins 41 so that the free extremities 46 of the wire feelers 39 'will project therethrough as the tape I2 is displaced along its predetermined path as will appear more fully hereinafter. It will be observed that the wire feelers 39 will alwaysbe in registry with the up-' per extremities-of the code pins 4"! while the shoe or lid 26' has its depending projection 31releasably held in operative position to smoothlyretain the tape I 2 in the groove l I during its traverse along the predetermined path provided in the plate Ill. The tape-l2 is held in alignment in that-the groove H- in the plate 21 is always in registry with the'shoe projection 31 of the lid 26,:the latter being loosely'held" inposition by the latch members 29- 30; v

The code pins or terminals 41, in this instance five are tightly pressed in to extend through transversely arranged holes of slightly smaller diameter than the pins 4L It will be apparent, therefore, that the code terminals 4'! will be displaced in the path of the code perforation l4 provided in the tape l2 so that signal transmission will be effected as the code feelers establish contact therewith through the top apertures [4. In order to impart intermittent movement to the tape I2 responsive to corresponding rotationof the'feed wheel 24,'the pawl 23 cooperates with the ratchet wheel 20. The ratchet wheel 20-is displaced by the reciprocal movement of the pawl 23 and held in successive stepped position by means of aroller 48 mounted on a pin 50, the latter being carried by a lever which is pivoted as at 52 to a depending bracket plate 53.

The bracket plate 53' is secured to the underside of the upper supporting frame plate In to serve as a mount for a substantially U-shaped spring 54 that has one extremity anchored as at 55 in the lever 5| to normally urge the latter to assume an extreme counterclockwise position (viewed from Figure 2) so that the roller 46 will be in engagement with the peripheral teeth on the ratchet wheel to insure intermittent: 6 stepped rotation thereof. In order to hold the substantially U-shaped spring 54 against lateral displacement, a transverse flange 56 is attached to the face of the bracket plate 53 so that the spring 54 will be held in a vertical plane adja-- 7 cent thereto. 7

As shown, the pawl 23' depends downwardly in the substantially T-shaped head that is provided with an elongated slot 5lto-receive therethrough porting plate Bl of the lower frame plate l5.

The solenoid pawl 23 is held in operative position on the solenoid arm 59 by means of a spring 64 that is anchored to the head of a threaded stud 65 engaging a correspondingly threaded aperture 66 provided in the arm of the pawl 23 (Figure 9).

The other extremity of the spring 64 is anchored in a stud 61 carried by the solenoid armature 59 which isheld in its extreme inoperative clockwise position (viewed from Figure 2) by means of a spring 68. The spring 68 is anchored to a stud 69 carried by the extremity of the solenoid armature 59 while the other end thereof is anchored to a stud "anchored proximate to the lower end of the upstanding bracket arm 60. It

will beapparent, therefore, that with the reception of the feed bolts, the solenoid 62 will be directly or indirectly energized to draw its armature 59 downwardly in a clockwise direction to impart intermittentrotation to the feed wheel 20 that correspondingly moves the tape l2 along the groove or depressed trough H provided in the upper frame plate l0.

Simultaneously with the movement of the tape l2, the code feeler 39 is; connected to one end of the distributor line to efiect contact with the code pins 41 wherever impulse code perforations ld'appear in the tape l2 as will appear more U fully from the schematic wiring diagram illustrated in Figure 10. So that there will be no signal transmission nor operation of the feed wheel 24 in the event any break occurs in the tape l2 or the latter has been entirely displaced over the code terminals 41, automatically operable "tape stop instrumentalities II and 12 are mounted in the depressed trough I! (Figure 3) in the manner fully illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the United States Number 2,074,189 and issued March 16, 1937.

In order to preclude the necessity of incor porating the tape feed solenoid 62 directlyin the transmission line and thus reduce the strength of the signals transmitted thereover, the latter is rendered responsive to a relay 13 mounted as at 14 on the lower frame plate l5 to cooperate with its armature 15 that is rendered adjustable the extremity 58 0f the solenoid armature 59 that 7 5 by a threaded stud 16. The relay coil 13 is connected to the sixth pulse for operation responsive to each signal received thereover and it, in turn, controls the operation of the solenoid 62 which moves the tape l2 forward. It should be appreciated that because the relay coil 13 possesses trivial resistance value and is far more sensitive for signal response than the solenoid 62 which has the necessary power to operate the tape feeding mechanism, the transmitter 10 can be incorporated in the pulse circuits of a telegraph system without impairing the operating margin of the current intensity required for the primary distributor and printer.

A transmitter lever cut-out switch 11 is, in this instance, pivotally mounted as at '18 to the lower frame-plate l5 for cooperation with terminal contacts 19 or provided therein. As a result, the cut-out lever switch l'l can be utilized to control the operation of the transmitter. As shown, the code terminals 41 are connected through the proper lead wires confined in a flexis instantly attachable and detachable to a complemental plug (not shown) for placing the' transmitter In in operation without the necessity of special wiring of any kind and rendering such immediately useful in anyline for direct connection to the distributor.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 17 inclusive, a top frame plate It is provided with a recess depressed trough H for cooperation with a lid or shoe 26 hinged as at 28 for retention in operative position by the latch members 29'--30. A protective plate member 33' together with an extension 34 is supported by a threaded stud 35' by means of spaced correspondingly threaded nuts 36 which engage the stud 35' on both sides of the protective plates 33. The plate extension 34 enables the manipulation of the lid or shoe 26 for displacement relative to its hinge 28 to assume an operative or inoperative position. It will be observed that the protective platep34' is disposed overand serves as a shield for a plurality of code contact feelers 39, in this instance five, soldered'or otherwise secured along the free extremity 40' of a plate 4|.

The plate 4| has a substantially U-shaped notch 42' provided centrally along the longitudinal median line thereof for the reception of a threaded stud 43'. The threaded stud 43 projects through a cap plate 44' that confronts the wire feeler contact mounting plate 4| to engage a correspondingly threaded aperture provided in a transverse bar 45' on the underside wire feeler mounting plate 4|. As shown, the bar 45' has an axially threaded stub shaft 46 (Figure 15) that is journalled in a bore 41' provided in an upstanding bracket 48 having its fiange49 attached to the top surface of the lid or shoe 26'.

A dished plate 50 is disposed over the stub shaft 46' of the bar 45, and a pairof nuts and 52 threadedly engage the axial bar stub shaft 46' to support the wire feeler mounting bar 45' in any adjustable rotary position, the bar 45' being frictionally held in its rotary adjustable position through the urge of the dished resilient plate 50 that is frictionally held by the nut 5| and its lock nut 52. In order to manipulate the wire feeler contact mounting bar 45 in its angular adjusted position, a lever 53' pro-- vided with a polygonal bore in the extremity 54' thereof, serves as a complement of the corresponding polygonal shape provided on the base 55' (Figure 15) of the stub shaft 46 so that rotary movement imparted to the lever 53' will effect corresponding rotation of the bar 45' serving as a mount for the feeler contact plate4l.

The lever 53 is preferably of thin resilient sheet material that cooperates with a vertical strip 56' adhesively or otherwise attached to the upstanding bracket 48' in the path of the lever 53' so as to have frictional surface engagement therewith to hold the feeler contact mounting bar 45' in any adjusted angular position. A lug 51'of somewhat thicker material than the ver-- tical strip 56' is preferably though not essentially attached to the upstanding bracket 48'.in a superposed position with respect to the strip 56' so as to preclude the accidental clockwise displacement of the lever 53 beyond the upward limit which defines the operative position of the code feeler contacts 39.

To enable the lever 53' to pass to the lug 51' when in position thereabove, it is necessary to effect the inward flexing thereof so that the lever 53' will be momentarily free from the obstruction offered by the lug 51'. The free extremity 5850f; the lever 53 is preferablythough not essentially somewhat offset inwardly to enable the convenient finger grasp thereof in positioning the wire contact feelers 39. With this arrangement, it-will, be observed that each wire feeler 3,9 is, composed of a plurality of individually closely associated wires, in this instance six, that are disposed in inclined position aligned with the surface of their mounting plate 4| to project downwardly therefrom with their free extremities engaging correspondingly spaced code pin terminals 59' that extend upwardly through the top frame plate l0.

It will be observed, therefore, that the Wire feeler contacts 39' can be displaced to any adjusted position for answering the desired frictional engagement with the upper extremities of the code pin terminals 59' or such may be removed entirely from contact therewith by displacing the lever 53' in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 16) to permit tape threading. Further, the journalled support of the bar together with the lever 53 enables any adjustment to be efiectedbetween the wire feeler contacts 39 and the code pin terminals 59'. The remaining parts are precisely the same as those shown in the preceding embodiment. 1

A distributor (see schematic wiring. diagram-Figure 10) is started manually by a latch (not shown) Pulses 1-2-345 are code pulses. Pulse 6 is a feed and stop pulse and together with conductor 1 constitutes the energy source for operating the relay coil 13. The eighth conductor (8) serves as a shunt for pulse contacts 1-2-3-4-5-6 effective whenever there is no tape l2 passing over the automatic tape stop pin H or there is a tear in the tape l2. The distributor 85 causes contacts to close and open successively 1-23-4-5-6--1-2-34-5-6 or any combination thereof, only one contact being closed at any one time to transmit the selected message. The eight conductors are connected by appropriate leads terminating in the cord 8| to the terminal jacks in the plug 82 so that the transmitter H) can be readily connected and disconnected to the distributor 85. The term solenoid is generically used throughout the description as the equivalent of the term electromagnet, and no distinction is to be'asserted therebetween in interpreting this disclosure. The operation of the instrumentalities is apparent from an examination of the schematic wiring diagram (Figure 10) and this will be described in detail in my copending application Serial Number 313,807, and filed Jan. 15, 1940 patented Feb. 17, 1942 No. 2,273,378, directed to the operating circuit which is more completely illustrated and described therein. 7

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of' the 'inventionherein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages or features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination withmeans for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting normally engageable contacts disposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and tape feeding means for directing said perforated transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

2. In a. telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and tape feeding means fordirecting said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

3. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires having free extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrically operated tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said,

pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

4. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination With means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mountfor said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements With non'yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrically operated tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

5. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, adjusting means for varying the degree of engagement between said confronting contacts, and tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

6. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, and tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

7. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting'contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements With non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for pivotally adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, and tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

8. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for pivotally adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, frictional holding means for said pivotally adjusting contact means, and tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

9. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting normally .engageable contacts disposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrical magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

10. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting normally engageable contacts disposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrical relay pulse controlled magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

11. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting normally engageable contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelersin normal frictional engagements with nonyielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrical magnetic tape feeding means including a ratchet mechanism for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

12. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires having free extremities in nor-,

mal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, and electrical relay pulse controlled-magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

13. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, adjusting means for varying the degree of engagement between said confronting contacts, and electrical magnetic tape feeding means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for intermittently directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to efiect message transmission. 7

14. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality'of 'pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resil ient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said transmission tape un less signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree-of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, and electrical relay pulse controlled magnetic tape feeding means for intermittently directing said transmission tape past said confronting surfaces to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

15. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predeter-r mined path, a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, sai'd confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conductor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their ex-. tremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by said, transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for pivotally adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, and electrical magnetic tape feeding means for intermittently directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

16. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path, said confronting contacts including resilient tape perforation feelers, each of said resilient tape perforation feelers comprising a plurality of fine wires, a common electrical conduc-z tor mount for said resilient tape perforation feelers with their extremities in normal frictional engagements with non-yielding terminals for normal separation by'said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, means for pivotally adjusting said conductor mount to vary the degree of feeler contact with their confronting terminals, frictional holding means for said pivotally adjusting contact means, andelectrical relay pulse controlled magnetic tape feeding means for intermittently directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts to control the closing of one or more of said pulse circuits to effect message transmission.

WALDO G. RICE. 

